Italy

The Roman Empire is all about stunning film divas, world-famous wines, trendsetting fashion and soft and delicious pasta. The Giro d'Italia, hard-boiled mafiosos, great opera and world-class football. Anything can happen, and everything happens in Italy. The land of dust is hard to label, as there are plenty of opportunities in this 301,245 square kilometre country. Ski in the Alps and Dolomites, go hiking in one of the 24 or so national parks that cover 10% of the country, or choose a route that takes you up mountains, down valleys and onto flat stretches. Italy is also a cultural and architectural stronghold that has produced great opera composers like Verdi and Puccini; artists like Michelangelo, whose frescoes adorn the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel in the capital Rome; and designers like Giorgio Armani, who dresses luxury fashion enthusiasts the world over.